Clearnet Communications

For the mobile virtual network operator launched in April 2011, see Clearnet (Telus Mobility).

Clearnet Communications

"The future is friendly"
Industry	Wireless Services
Fate	Acquired and merged
Successor	Telus Mobility
Founded	1984 (1984)
Defunct	2000 (2000)
Headquarters	Scarborough, Ontario
Area served	Canada
Services	PCS, Mike cellular networks

Clearnet Communications was a Canadian cellular telephone service provider from 1984 to 2000, when it was acquired by Telus Mobility. Clearnet operated a CDMA-based PCS network and an iDEN-based cellular network called Mike. Following the merger, Clearnet's PCS service was incorporated into the existing Telus Mobility network, while the Mike system was kept as a separate service under its original name. All Clearnet's distinctive marketing and branding, including their animal theme and tag line "The future is friendly", was also adopted by Telus Communications to promote its various services. The Clearnet brand name, however, was discontinued until April 2011, when Telus launched a MVNO with the Clearnet name.

Prior to their merger with Telus Mobility, Clearnet had developed an innovative out of the box cell phone marketing system, where their phones were available at various retail stores, besides their own. To activate a Clearnet cell phone, a customer simply called the company with a credit card, went through an instant credit check, and if approved, they set up their Clearnet account over the phone. Within an hour or two, the customer could use his or her mobile phone service. Due to the current dominance of broadband Internet, many companies will charge more for activations in store or over the phone while reducing or eliminating online activation fees.

See also

• Telus Communications, the parent that owns Telus Mobility.
  • Telus Mobility, the company that acquired Clearnet in 2000.
• Clearnet (Telus Mobility), a MVNO launched in April 2011 by Telus Mobility.

External links

• Clearnet website (June 2000, from the Internet Archive)